Embracing a healthy lifestyle: How recreational activities are essential to manage stress

Staying true to the nature of the city, Mumbaikars seem to have normalised working round the clock. This has led to a tremendous work-life imbalance and given rise to stress and workplace burnout. Recreational activities, in such times, go a long way in helping working Mumbaikars maintain their sanity.
As children, we attended numerous extra-curricular classes and participated in various recreational activities. To date, we stress the importance of recreational activities for children to ensure their overall well-being. Why is it that we fail to apply the same in our lives?

Juggling constantly between work and personal commitments can take a toll on one's physical as well as mental health. More so, it can lead us to feel disconnected from ourselves. It is, thus, imperative to establish a healthy relationship with ourselves. Engaging in recreational activities can make that possible.
"All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy," says Mynoo Maryel, life coach, thought leader, Co-founder POEM Foundation, JEGO and FED 100. "There is no doubt that Mumbai is a city that never sleeps. It does push each one of us to excel and achieve our life goals. However, it is essential to ensure we don't forget to enjoy our life and the journey that leads us to our goals."

In a hard-hitting observation, Maryel says, that Mumbaikars spend most part of their lives hustling and chasing their dreams but often forget why they are doing what they are doing. On days when an emotional breakdown or mid-life crisis-like situation strikes, disappointment and frustration get the best of us. This is where practising a hobby or engaging in recreational activities comes into play.

Identifying the need for recreational activities
Working constantly, be it at the office or at home taking care of domestic chores, can lead to a feeling of disappointment towards life in general. It can make us lose interest in things and also impact our personal relationships.

The failure to strike a work-life balance can drain us mentally, physically and emotionally. Adopting a healthy lifestyle and making time to engage in activities that feed the soul can not only help us lead a balanced life but also improve our work performance.

Maryel suggests engaging in any recreational activity that makes you happy and helps in relaxing the mind. This can include, swimming, playing any sport you like, singing, dancing, going for long drives, cooking or even spending time with your friends.

Mumbaikars share the relevance of recreational activities
Kevin Baretto, a 26-year-old, associate brand consultant at Id8 Media Solutions residing in Mahim, loves to play cricket. "Making time for hobbies is very difficult considering my busy schedule, but I make it a point to do things I love. It helps me manage stress effectively." Kevin plays cricket for around three hours mostly during the weekends or public holidays.

Kevin Baretto

He says, "Even though I only play for a couple of hours, twice a week, it helps me manage stress for the entire week. It keeps me away from my smartphone. Playing cricket takes my mind off all work and life-related stressors."

Other than cricket, Kevin's other hobbies also include shooting short films and participating in theatre. He participates in various activities conducted by his parish, St. Michael's Church which conducts many fun youth activities like trekking, sports tournaments and social activities.

For Kevin, drama too makes him happy. "Since performing in theatre is not a regular activity, I wait for opportunities," says Kevin who last performed in a play named ‘The hunchback of Notre Dame,' the rehearsals for which went on for a period of 6 months.

Speaking about the relevance of practising hobbies for Mumbaikars, Kevin says, "Most of the week is spent in front of the computer or on calls which is definitely stressful. It is very important to keep yourself engaged in a certain hobby to relieve stress from time to time." According to Kevin, every working Mumbaikar, be it an intern or senior official, everyone should engage in different recreational activities.

Nidhi Netravalkar (26), a resident of Malad working as a copywriter and creative supervisor, with Ogilvy, has been practising Kathak for 15 years. "I don't get time to go for a regular dance class due to the flexible nature of work but I do go for dance workshops whenever I get the time, especially over the weekend. It not only reduces my stress but also gives me the energy to work. It calms me in ways nothing else can."

Nidhi Netravalkar

Besides dancing, Nidhi also loves to read and cook. She says she tries to read for at least an hour every day. According to Nidhi, it is extremely necessary to participate in recreational activities because of the fast-paced nature of life in Mumbai. "We need to prioritise taking time out for ourselves to do something we love outside of work. Not only will it help us reduce our work stress but will also help us to perform better at work."

Another young Mumbaikar, Rashmi Manuja(24), anchor, producer at Radio Mirchi says, "Every person must find some healthy way to relieve stress that builds up over the week. Doing something you love helps to calm down yourself. When I participate in any recreational activities I love, it makes me feel confident about myself."

Rashmi Manuja

Rashmi is a passionate drummer who also occasionally enjoys boxing. She says, "Being able to play my favourite songs on the drums gives me great joy. Playing the drums helps me manage my anxiety. It distracts me from unsettling thoughts and clams me down."

Besides drumming, she also goes boxing three times a week and makes time to watch films/series regularly for a limited period of time.

Tips to make time for recreational activities
Just as we prioritise our work, it is equally important to also prioritise our mental, emotional and physical wellbeing. It helps to navigate the everyday stressors with a sane mind.

To take the first step towards enrolling yourself for recreational activities, begin with something you enjoy doing the most. Initially, start with something that is easily doable and requires less effort. Take time to understand what works best for you. You might have to push yourself to get habituated to a new habit and routine, but when you start experiencing positive outcomes, you will end up looking forward to it.

Dedicate a specific time during which you only do things that relax your mind. In this time period do not deal with anything related to work unless extremely urgent. If your work schedule is packed and does not permit you to take an hour off during the day, take up something fun over the weekend. Ensure you participate in some recreational activities for a few hours at least once a week.

Also Read: From mind to body: Understanding the impact of stress on physical health, and tips to manage it